Diego Vega Jenkins, LBS MBA Class of 2021
Age: 31
Hometown: La Quebrada, Lima, Peru
Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Science in Radio, Television & Film at The University of Texas at Austin
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Founder and Director of Content at La Pepa
Why business school? Why now?
I had decided to leave my current company and career path a little over a year ago and felt that whatever I do next, I would truly benefit from having a solid education in business.
Why LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
London is one the few cities that seems to really affect the pulse of the world. It’s a city where things never cease to happen and living here is as much a formative experience as going to LBS. There’s no other city that combines such diversity, ambition, and sense of history.
Furthermore, living in London through Brexit is very interesting for me; these are vital years in the city. The conversations people are having and the decisions being made will affect the shape of the West (if not the world) for years to come. I want to be in London during that time and witness history as it is being made.
I really have to mention two other factors: I haven’t found the relationship that students have with professors at LBS in other schools. It seems to be a very open, horizontal dynamic – less ivory tower, more [soccer field].
Additionally, this is a bit of a cliché by now, but LBS is really the most global and most customizable MBA there is. I’m an entrepreneur, but I have interests that span several fields and at LBS I can really explore all of these interests. If you can’t find what you’re interested in at LBS and you can’t find it in London, there’s a very good chance it doesn’t exist.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
My background.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I’ve never used Excel!
Post-MBA career interests?
Entrepreneurship and consulting.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
Make a habit out of taking a step back.
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
One shouldn’t arrange test-taking and application submissions around deadlines.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Give myself more time and not set round deadlines as personal deadlines. This creates unexpected, and often illusory, tension.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Researching the proper schools took a lot longer than I expected. I think that the best resource is talking to as many alumni as possible.
What is your initial impression of LBS’s students/culture/community?
It is a very impressive, down-to-earth group that are super focused and super relaxed at the same time.
One thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
Alumni involvement in the program.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Accounting classes.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
London.
